ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9321, 16 June 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

ALLEGED DUMMYISM.

The Land Board bold another enquiry last Friday morning concerning a case of alleged dummyism. Mr J, C. Anderson, the original successful applicant for the section in question, which comprised 314 acres in the Mangahao Survey District, was iu attendance. The proceedings were brought under section 71 of the amended Land Act, which .provides for the forfeiture of the land should the charge of dummyism be proved. Mr Anderson made a statement on oath to the effect that he applied for the land at the Wellington Land Office on the 13th August, 1889, and had subsequently made Dr Fitcbett his agent. Having been unfortunate in certain business transactions, he bad mortgaged his interest in the section to Dr Fitcbett, who had since foreclosed. Mr Anderson said it had been his intention to settle on the land, and that all the improvements had been effected by himself, money having been advanced from time to time by Dr Fitcbett. When be (Mr Anderson) fir«t applied for the land Dr Fitcbett had no interest whatever in it. In answer to the Commissioner, Mr Anderson said he bad agreed to pay Dr FitchettS percent interest on the money advanced for improvements. He assured the Board that all bis transactions bad been bona fide. Hr Hogg observed that he did not see anything wrong iu Dr Fitcbett acting as Mr Anderson’s agent, as all the transactions appeared to have been straightforward. In answer to further question?, Mr Anderson said that Dr Fitcbett had no undue interest in the land in the first instance, and that there had been no intention whatever to evade the Act. At one o’clock the Board decided to adjourn any further investigation until Monday.